Originally Posted by
Algol
Seniority is like Democracy - not a perfect system, but better than the alternatives.
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Yes, Seniority Lists are indeed peculiar to pilots, because of their peculiar career path.
Such claims have always been made about seniority-based employment systems, i.e. "Yes, advancement on merit is all very well for lesser callings, but we are special, and must maintain our current system". I am not aware of any circumstances where those claims have ever been proven accurate. But there are always strong vested interests in maintaining the status quo, the natural conservative instincts of professionals such as pilots work to resist change, and (perceived) self-interest kicks in once a moderate amount of progress up the list has been achieved.
Still. Advancement on merit will come to pilots eventually - perhaps even be forced upon them, as with so many changes, in response to external pressures - and will probably quickly come to be seen as having been long overdue.